In this episode, Laura and Chay chat with Claire, an allotmenteer from Portchester in Hampshire, known online as Harvest and Home UK. Claire’s allotment journey began just four years ago when she and her husband, Trev, decided on a whim to apply for a plot—despite having no prior gardening experience. Like so many who discover the world of allotments, they quickly became hooked.

Since then, their passion has continued to grow. They’ve taken on additional plots, started keeping chickens, and embraced a slower, more hands-on way of living. Claire shares how the allotment has shaped her life, from learning to grow her own food to preserving produce in creative ways—like her popular homemade chilli jam.

We also talk about her recent move into vlogging on YouTube, and how documenting her journey has opened up a welcoming community of like-minded growers.

This episode offers a warm and inspiring insight into how an allotment can unexpectedly transform your day-to-day life, your wellbeing, and your sense of purpose—often in a very short time.

You can find out more about Claire on Instagram at @harvestandhomeuk,
and you can follow her journey over on YouTube under Harvest and Home UK.

Support the show

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this episode, Chay and Laura catch up on what they have been harvesting and what’s been happening on their allotments while juggling the chaos of their children’s birthday parties. Chay shares an amusing story about an unexpected visitor to his plot — an escaped chicken from a neighbouring allotment — and explains how he handled the situation.

The pair also discuss their upcoming plans as they prepare for the winter months, with a few surprising projects on the horizon. They delve into a lively debate about the benefits of caring for your tools during the colder season. While it’s not everyone’s favourite task, Chay makes a strong case for why tool maintenance might be one of the most underrated aspects of allotment life.

To round off the episode, they’re delighted to feature music from listener Ivor Game, whose beautiful melody perfectly complements the spirit of the show.

If you’d like to find out more, visit our website at: http://www.ivorgame.com

Support the show

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this episode, Chay and Laura sit down with Vicky and Karin, the brilliant duo behind The Plot Thickens podcast. As fellow podcasters, they share a deep appreciation for the passion, dedication, and courage it takes to create meaningful content purely for the love of it and for the benefit of listeners.

Vicky and Karin open up about how they first met, what inspired them to start their podcast, and the journey they’ve been on since – from the highs and lows to the lessons learned along the way. They also give us a behind-the-scenes look at their most recent season on their plots and a sneak peek into what plans they have next year.

Beyond podcasting, Vicky and Karin are now channelling their energy into an exciting new venture: Soil Squad. Founded in 2024 in St Albans, Soil Squad is a UK-based Community Interest Company (CIC) with a mission to turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost, promote regenerative farming, and educate communities about the importance of healthy soil. Through their Community Composting Hub at Sandridge Road Allotments, they provide composting services, run sustainability workshops, and deliver educational programmes to schools and local businesses.

This is an inspiring conversation about community, sustainability, and the power of sharing stories – both through podcasts and hands-on action.

You can find out more about Soil Squad via their website: https://soilsquad.uk/

Support the show

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.